Latest Casio EXILIM gets indoor geotagging

The geotagging capabilities of modern cameras means photographers no longer have to go through the boring task of jotting down the location of a picture on the back of photos. Unfortunately, interference when taking pictures indoors or even outside amongst a forest of skyscrapers can render the geotagging feature inoperative. The latest model to join Casio’s EXILIM Hi-Zoom lineup, the EX-H20G, overcomes this problem by using a Hybrid GPS system that combines GPS with a three-way accelerometer and direction sensor to track a user’s last known satellite-acquired position against map data stored in the camera’s memory. It then checks every 10 minutes until it can reconnect to a satellite signal.

EXILIM EX-H20G

As well as offering location data for geotagging of photos and videos indoors, the EXILIM EX-H20G can also display the user’s current location on a map, which can be viewed on the camera itself. This feature allows users to view destinations, points-of-interest and photo locations on the camera before setting out for a day of sightseeing.

Once out and about users can then confirm their present location and utilize the EX-H20G’s digital compass to determine the best route to their next destination. And if the camera detects the user is within the vicinity of one of the 10,000 sightseeing photo spots from around the globe preloaded on the camera, it will alert them and point them in the right direction to snap some shots. Location information, including longitude and latitude, shooting direction, and place names are saved in each image’s EXIF file.

Other features of the 14.1-megapixel EX-H20G include a 10x optical zoom, f3.2–5.7 24–240mm lens, 720p video recording at 30fps (H.264), three-inch 460K LCD and built-in CCD-shift image stabilization. The camera also incorporates Casio’s Single Frame SR Zoom, which the company says extends the camera’s 35mm film equivalent telephoto focal length to 360mm, for 1.5 times the optical zoom or a total zoom range of 15x. For advanced image processing there’s a newly developed EXILIM Engine HS that boasts a multi-CPU and two parallel image processors.

The EX-H20G will be available from November for US$350.

EX-Z16

Alongside the EX-H20G Casio also announced the addition of the entry-level EX-Z16 to its EXILIM line. This 12-megapixel camera features 3x optical zoom, f3.2–5.7 35.5–106.5mm lens, video recording (640x480 and 848x480) and 2.7-inch 230K screen. As an entry-level camera the EX-Z16 includes a number of features for idiot-proof shooting including an Easy Mode User interface that leaves everything except image size, flash and self-timer to the camera. There’s also BEST SHOT, which automatically analyzes the scene and applies face detection, auto focus and exposure settings to a total of 23 types of scene for optimal settings for still images and video.

Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continued through a number of university courses and crappy jobs until 2008, when his interests found a home at Gizmag. All articles by Darren Quick